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Joe and I have four, yes four, dogs. They’re our kids. Perry, Bella, & Gatsby sleep in the bed with us. Or, more accurately, they allow us to squeeze in between them. Patch sleeps on his dog bed – it’s his own personal preference.

Every morning I walk them – first Patch & Bella then Gatsby & Perry. Next comes breakfast, then it’s off to my home office where they sleep as I write. When I’m cooking they lay by the fireplace or in the kitchen doorway so they can see me. And, if anyone happens to walk in front of our home all four of them let me know, howling in unison.

Yea, there’s a lot of vacuuming and lots of toys strewn around the house that I can’t seem to get them to pick up. When it rains we have 16 wet paws to wipe and, more often than I like to admit, they dart in and leave a trail of muddy prints across the floor. Baths are an ordeal – Joe and I are always just as wet as the dogs. Our vet loves us because we’re at their office once a month, if not more often. But I can’t imagine one day without waking up to them wanting to play, seeing their tails wag at meal time, or listening to them snore as I put together a blog post.

I sometimes forget that joy in life isn’t always about the next big thing, whatever that might be. Instead, my real joy comes from those quiet moments when can look around and know that everything in my life is ok just as it is. My dogs always remind me of that.

When I saw that Marilyn at simmer till done made pumpkin dog biscuits, everything else on my list got pushed down a so I could bake for my kids – and gluten-free treats at that! Her recipe uses brown rice flour, an excellent option as many dogs have food allergies and don’t tolerate wheat.

Like Marilyn’s vet, our vet recommends pumpkin for upset tummies. My Bella gets a nervous stomach once in a while. Gatsby has very dry skin and our vet recommended adding flax meal to his food so I modified her recipe to include flax. These biscuits are definitely a treat I feel good about giving my kids.

And, my kids love them. I hope your 4-legged babies love them, too.

A couple of hints:

I buy whole flax seeds in bulk and grind it in my food processor to make flax meal. Because of it’s high fat content, flax meal can go rancid quickly. It’s much more cost effective to buy the seeds and grind it yourself. Check out my tutorial here. Refrigerate or freeze ground flax meal in an airtight container depending on when you plan on using it.

If your waxed paper moves about the counter while you’re rolling the dough out, pull part of it over the edge of the counter and lean on the paper to hold it in place.

I made these biscuits with both freshly cooked pumpkin and canned pumpkin puree. The fresh pumpkin didn’t have a bright orange color but both worked equally well.

And a side note – if you haven’t been to Marilyn’s blog, simmer till done, it’s a must. She is a true artist – and her blog always calms me right down. It’s as if I’m sitting in her kitchen with a warm cup of really good coffee, just watching her cook and soaking up everything she knows.

Also – Kim from The Food Allergy Coach started the Gluten-Free Lifestyle Blog Carnival. Anything gluten-free goes. Add your post for the November Edition here. All of the posts will be shared next month at Sustaining Health Holistically. The deadline for the November Edition is October 28th. I’m going to submit my post today.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine brown rice flour and flax meal in a large bowl. Mix eggs and pumpkin together in a separate bowl until smooth. Add pumpkin mixture to brown rice mixture in two parts, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula. Dough will be shaggy. Add water, a teaspoon or two at a time until the dough comes together – by this time you’ll need to use your hands to pull the dough together.

Roll dough out between two pieces of waxed or parchment paper to desired thickness. (I rolled mine 1/4 inch thick.) Remove top piece of waxed/parchment paper, flip dough onto brown rice floured counter, remove top piece, and then cut biscuits using desired cookie cutter. Re-roll and cut scraps until you’ve used every possible bit of dough.

Place biscuits on parchment lined baking sheets. If using a dog bone shaped cutter, you cam make a pattern in the middle using the tines of a fork. Gently press down, wiggle a little, then lift out.

Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, until the top of the biscuit has dried out completely. Remove tray from oven and flip biscuits over. Return to oven, rotating cookie sheet, and bake for another 20 – 25 minutes until biscuits are completely dry. Let biscuits cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

Great idea! Pet owners who have celiac disease or a high degree of gluten sensitivity may want to consider what they feed their dogs, so that, when their dogs lick them and kiss them on the face or hands, they do not have to worry about gluten entering their mouth, nose, or eyes.

That is exactly why I was looking for a good recipe! I own a gluten and dairy free baking company and I am very allergic to gluten (my hair falls out, I itch, horrible blisters on my skin, its not fun) so I want to keep my dog on a wheat free diet and only feed him holistic food; we’ve gone with blue buffalo, have not had any problems with anything manifesting on his fur and triggering my allergy. wheat free, but not gluten free, but top of the line food; but the dog treats are a big expensive for the few you get in a bag. I decided I would whip up my own in my commercial kitchen if I could find some good recipes. this one is definitely a winner! I used my basic gf flour mix that I created for my baked goods instead of the brown rice and flax seed, came out great!.

My two miniature schnauzers love these, and I have taken to making more and giving them to the dogs in the dog park with owners permission of course. Is so funny as soon as they see me coming they stop running around and sit for their pumpkin biscuit. Awesome recipe, thank you. Ps I use fresh organic mashed pumpkin as pumpkin in a can is hard to get in australia.

“”I sometimes forget that joy in life isn’t always about the next big thing, whatever that might be. Instead, my real joy comes from those quiet moments when can look around and know that everything in my life is ok just as it is.””

THIS is beautiful–this is something that soothes the heart if we remember it. Thank you so much for reminding me!

These sound wonderful. Can I order them from you instead of baking them myself? I can’t even get our goodies baked. I have a very large collie. He’s very sweet and I feel bad he got our busy family and small house. These would be a nice treat for him. If I don’t have the rice flour what do you think would sub, unless I’m getting some from you.

I’m so happy to finally meet your dogs. I know mine would love these treats, but since I make all their food (raw meat, oatmeal, veggies, etc.), I’m not very likely to bake for them. They do love pumpkin though. I add it to their food if I have some left over from baking. Maybe I’ll make them some for Christmas!

Ohh, I love this! My doggie is allergic to wheat. I say she takes after me. I can’t wait to try this. She LOVES pumpkin, sweet potato, squash, etc. I think this is going to be a winner in our household.

So cute!! I have one dog (and 2 cats), and its the first dog my dad ever had. He always talks about how when my grandparents decided to get a dog, they went to the beagle farm a & came back with a cat. Since then it was always cats, so he couldn’t wait to get our puppy! Yours are adorable, & such cute names!

@Linda, Your kids are on the raw diet – if mine were I wouldn’t bake for them either. Did you start for any particular reason? I looked into it a few years ago but decided that it wasn’t right for us. I know many people who do it and they love it. It’s a great way to feed them.

I’ve made liver treats for my puppy, but I’ve never baked for her. I wonder if she likes pumpkin… on second thought, I’m sure she’ll love pumpkin! The only thing she doesn’t seem to like is lemon, lime, or raw squash (which I dropped on the floor once and she uncharacteristically walked away from). Might have to try this one for the holidays!

Your dogs are beautiful! When I got my puppy 4 years ago (after 6 years of “college” without a dog) I swore I’d never live another day without a dog. I’ve done lots of dog sitting and know that the second dog is almost no extra work, the third about four times as much work but the 4th only a little bit more than three

Tumalo has a very sensitive stomach (that’s what you get when you name your virgo dog Tummy and she gets pumpkin and/or kefir in her lamb and rice dog food sometimes. She hardly ever gets flour based treats – just meaty stuff for training – but if I did, this looks like a fantastic recipe.

@Alyss, Our dogs don’t have that degree of sensitivity – once in a while Bella needs to go on the ‘bland food’ diet – chicken and rice. With 4, I couldn’t imagine feeding them all raw. It kind of makes my head spin. Meal time is a circus around here as it is.

You might want to try giving your dog more of a high protein and good fat diet. Wellness naturals dog food makes one called CORE Wellness and add cod liver oil to their food this should help their skin problems. A lot of regular dog food brands have a lot of junk in it like GMO wheat and grains and crappy meat your dogs could have an allergy to these things and you might not realize it.

@Oriel, What great info, Oriel. I appreciate your suggestions. It’s always great to meet another animal lover.

Right now they’re eating a gluten-free, gmo free food made by Avoderm and they get a little flax meal in every bowl. Gatsby’s skin is better than it’s ever been. Hugs!!

Oriel Reply:October 28th, 2010 at 6:00 pm

No problem, I just got a puppy so I give her these things as well as wheat grass and such. I’m glad to hear your doggie is doing much better. I’m making your dog treats this week-end for my pup and I’m subbing sweet potato. My question is do I keep these in an air tight container in the fridge or at room temperature? I live in Florida and it’s been kind of humid for fall, I don’t want to make a whole batch and then they spoil.

I’m so glad this recipe was part of the roundup because I thought I’d commented, but hadn’t. (I’d hate to admit how often that happens. LOL) Gluten-free dog and cat treats make so much sense because these animals are hunters by nature. They are always so much healthier when gluten is eliminated from their diets. Arthritis, hot spots (and other skin-type issues), fatigue, etc. can become things of the past when pets are put on gluten-free diets.

Believe it or not…I have a Great Pyrenees that suffers from Celiac Disease! This has been such a challenge. Thank you so much for your site. The only type of flour I can use for his treats is a gluten free garbanzo & fava bean flour. I’ll be trying your version of pumpkin treats and let you know how the bean flour worked out.

@Carolyn, I would love to know how it works – I think you’ll just have to play with the pumpkin to flour ratios and maybe add some filtered water because garfava flour will absorb more liquid.

I would love to know more about your dog’s diet – I am really slow to make changes in my dogs’ diets because they can’t tell you how they feel. I’m investigating other options, though. Any input or information you have would be so helpful. (I have to make a double batch of this today for my kids – we’re out!)

@Joanna Casto/Anna’s Cousin, My Pekingese, Mike, seems to do well with these treats. He will bite the snot out of Sully, the pyrenees, to get one. Just feed your dog a smaller portion. I only allow Mike to have one of the corners of the dogbone shaped treat at a time. Moderation is the key.

Hey Amy!
Sorry to be bumping up an old post-but this is a goodie!
I’m switching my beautiful furry daughter to a gluten free diet, and I’ve decided I’m going to make all her food for the next few weeks and see how she does. Her stools are chronically loose, but she seems healthy as a horse and checks out perfect at the vet.
Did you end up switching your brood over? Any suggestions? I’ve been googling my head off

@Erin Elberson, Yes, I switched them over. Gatsby still has an occasional limp but all of them are at fabulous weights. That could also be that their ‘treats’ are now pieces of their food. Once in a while I bake for them but most of the time they get a kibble of food instead.

I have another dog treat recipe I should post soon. Let me know how your baby does on the new diet.

@Eileen Beran, Thanks so much for asking, Eileen. Sure! I’d love for you to share my recipe with your readers. Please send me a link when it’s live – I’d love to see it and will add it to my Articles/Media page.

@Lasara, They’re dry biscuits so I think they’d keep for a while. I don’t have a time frame, though, because with 4 dogs ours are always gone quickly. Your friends and family will love these special gifts, Lasara.

Callum and I are making these tomorrow for Ringo! We’ll wrap them up and give them to him for Christmas! Thanks to you (and Shirley for linking to this post!) for the inspiration! Merry Christmas to you, Joe and your pups! xo

Our dog has turned down more dog biscuits than I care to count (although our friends’ dogs like it since they get the rejects). However, I made these and our dog loves them! In fact, the first day she kept sitting in front of the treat jar, asking for more

I have a rat terrier that is maybe 7 – 9 years old. He was a rescue anyway he’s diabetic and is on humliun twice a day. I used to fix the whole wheat treats and had to stop once he was diagonised. Not fair to my other 2 babies. Would this pumpkin treat be ok for a diabetic dog??

Hello. I am a pet sitter and dog owner. I was wondering can the flour be changed to coconut (all or part)? If so, do I need to make other adjustments such as more eggs? P.S. I took a quick look at your book the other day and loved what I saw so far!

@Amy, I looked on the internet and several sites say you can substitute part aprx 1/3 for coconut flour and add liquid. If I wanted to change it out for all flour it said add 8 eggs. My confusion is how much liquid & what kind.

Thanks for tempting me to visit Marilyn’s simmer till done blog. She posted a wonderful short story in Nov. 2011 — memory of her & a schoolgirl friend having a sleepover to read the forbidden Judy Blume book, *Forever.* Came here for the dog treat recipe and got a lovely literary reward. Yum! I’ll do this again!

Any idea how long these will stay good? I have to take my dog to stay at his sitter. I give him a cube of pumpkin every morning and a smidge of ground flax. I want to send something like this with him so it’s still in his daily diet. He’ll be there 10 days. Thank you!

Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I am going to go get the ingredients right away! I have celiac and about a year ago, I started having problems, again. I stick to a strict gf regimen so I was perplexed. When I looked back at what had changed back when the relapse started, it was my dog’s diet! She had gone on a low fat easy to digest prescription food. And…I confess that I kiss my dog on her face. :). I have since worked with my vet to find a gluten free option, but the treats in the stores are high in fat. Your recipe appears to be just what she needs. Can’t wait to try it!

What happens if you use pumpkin pie filling not the pumpkin puree. I made some puree from scratch for these treats and added about a tablespoon of pumpkin seasoning to 10 cups of puree. Do you think it will cause problems or can I still make the treats?

This recipe is awesome..I have a friend who’s dog is very picky when it comes to treats, but when it comes to these he goes nuts. I don’t make them into dog bones, I spread the dough on a lined cookie sheet with parchment paper, and then I score the dough into squares. When I give these biscuits to dogs they are crazy over them..

I have a batch of these in my oven right now! I didn’t want to go through rolling out so I use a cookie scooper (small ball maker), make the balls into rolls, then flatten to the size which will fit in Avery’s Kong, he loves them!!! & baking on parchment makes cleanup a snap. Thanks a million for the great recipe.

About Amy

Living free of refined sugars and gluten since 2004 has allowed me to live a fulfilled, healthy life. My food cravings, migraines, and depression vanished and was able to maintain a 60+ pound weight loss. Today I live with enormous freedom. Join me as I create healthier food that's SS&GF and delicious. I hope to help you do the same. Read more about my story here.